Former SMC student accused of rape in Florida last year

Published: Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 6:14 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 8, 2013 at 10:10 a.m.

A former Spartanburg Methodist College baseball player charged with attempted rape last month is wanted by Florida authorities on similar charges, Sheriff Chuck Wright said.

On Thursday, Circuit Court Judge Derham Cole issued an order denying bond for Taylor Randall Childers, 19, of Royston, Ga., who remains at the Spartanburg County jail.

Wright said that Childers will likely be extradited to Panama City Beach, Fla. after the criminal charges here are resolved. The sheriff said Panama City police have outstanding warrants for Childers following an incident June 1 in Panama City during which Childers allegedly raped a woman.

“What we want people, particularly women, to know is that if you've been a victim of this guy that you need to contact authorities, but know that he is behind bars and he's not going to hurt anyone else,” Wright said.

Spartanburg County sheriff's detectives charged Childers with first-degree burglary and second-degree assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct following an incident that occurred early Jan. 25 at Campus Court apartments.

Deputy Solicitor Derrick Bulsa told Judge Cole during a bond hearing late last week that friends had been drinking the night before and into the early morning hours and the alleged victim was staying at the apartment with friends.

The guys left the apartment and the woman fell asleep on the couch, Bulsa said. The woman told police she recalled “someone messing with her” by removing her jacket and tank top and she pushed him away, Bulsa said. She then awoke with the man, later identified as Childers, over the top of her and she told him to “stop it.”

He then went into the kitchen, during which she thought he was retrieving a weapon, and returned to the room, Bulsa said. While still on the couch, the woman swung at him. He is accused of lifting her off the couch and dropping her before hitting her face, the prosecutor said.

The woman was able to free herself and Childers left the apartment, Bulsa said. Police were able to identify Childers by a cell phone left in his pants, which he left behind with his shoes.

The woman told Judge Cole that she is terrified of Childers and has problems sleeping and eating. She said she fears for her life and would be even more terrified if Childers were released from jail on bond.

Childers's attorney told Judge Cole that his parents have withdrawn him from college and if released, he would live with them in Georgia and have no contact with the victim.

<p>A former Spartanburg Methodist College baseball player charged with attempted rape last month is wanted by Florida authorities on similar charges, Sheriff Chuck Wright said.</p><p>On Thursday, Circuit Court Judge Derham Cole issued an order denying bond for Taylor Randall Childers, 19, of Royston, Ga., who remains at the Spartanburg County jail.</p><p>Wright said that Childers will likely be extradited to Panama City Beach, Fla. after the criminal charges here are resolved. The sheriff said Panama City police have outstanding warrants for Childers following an incident June 1 in Panama City during which Childers allegedly raped a woman.</p><p>“What we want people, particularly women, to know is that if you've been a victim of this guy that you need to contact authorities, but know that he is behind bars and he's not going to hurt anyone else,” Wright said.</p><p>Spartanburg County sheriff's detectives charged Childers with first-degree burglary and second-degree assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct following an incident that occurred early Jan. 25 at Campus Court apartments.</p><p>Deputy Solicitor Derrick Bulsa told Judge Cole during a bond hearing late last week that friends had been drinking the night before and into the early morning hours and the alleged victim was staying at the apartment with friends.</p><p>The guys left the apartment and the woman fell asleep on the couch, Bulsa said. The woman told police she recalled “someone messing with her” by removing her jacket and tank top and she pushed him away, Bulsa said. She then awoke with the man, later identified as Childers, over the top of her and she told him to “stop it.”</p><p>He then went into the kitchen, during which she thought he was retrieving a weapon, and returned to the room, Bulsa said. While still on the couch, the woman swung at him. He is accused of lifting her off the couch and dropping her before hitting her face, the prosecutor said.</p><p>The woman was able to free herself and Childers left the apartment, Bulsa said. Police were able to identify Childers by a cell phone left in his pants, which he left behind with his shoes.</p><p>The woman told Judge Cole that she is terrified of Childers and has problems sleeping and eating. She said she fears for her life and would be even more terrified if Childers were released from jail on bond.</p><p>Childers's attorney told Judge Cole that his parents have withdrawn him from college and if released, he would live with them in Georgia and have no contact with the victim.</p>